Out-of-Town Patients Create Unique Concerns for Plastic Surgeons: Expert

Making an appointment with a plastic surgeon can be an emotionally intense experience. Not only is the patient coping with the initial condition that has led them to seek help from a medical professional, but they must also face the concept of the surgery itself and the uncertainty that comes with a medical procedure.

But a California-based plastic surgeon says that traveling to a location outside of your immediate home area can have great benefits for someone undergoing such a potentially life-altering procedure.

According to Dr. Jay Calvert, MD, FACS, traveling to a different location to have the procedure done, whether it’s rhinoplasty, lip or breast augmentation or revision plastic surgery, can greatly enhance the patient’s state of mind pre-operation.

“Getting away allows you to focus on your operation for the proper period of time in a setting geared for plastic surgery success,” said Dr. Calvert, who has served as an expert cosmetic surgery consultant on several television shows including The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Tyra Banks Show, The Dr. Phil Show and Inside Edition. “This approach to the procedure works perfectly for many patients.”

At his own facilities in several locations in California (Beverly Hills and Newport Beach), Dr. Calvert and his staff have assisted many patients in making the journey to his offices from around the nation, from arranging aftercare visits with several local providers to hosting their own private recovery facilities to even suggesting several local hotels for their stay that are in close proximity to the hospitals.

“We try to make planning the surgery as easy and enjoyable as possible for those not located in the area,” Dr. Calvert stated. “We work closely with several aftercare providers who offer 24 hour assistance, a service frequently used by patients undergoing breast augmentation, rhinoplasty, facelifts and other procedures.

“We also have private recovery facilities in Orange County that can be used for extended stays,” he added. “We have an Aesthetic Coordinator who can work out the details to ensure a safe and successful experience.”

While most of the procedures require a consultation visit, for travelers coming to the clinics from out of town, some of the procedures can be performed without an initial visit, saving patients from having to make repeated trips to the clinic. Dr. Calvert recommends a call to his offices at (310) 777-8800 to speak with an Aesthetic Coordinator prior to planning a visit from out of town.

“It’s important that we develop a proper surgical plan,” explained Dr. Calvert. “We must arrange for any necessary lab work to be done either at the patient’s home or at our Beverly Hills or our Orange County location. We must also plan how long the patient needs to remain in town after surgery, if necessary. While it varies according to the procedure, the patient’s age and other factors, it’s usually between five and 14 days.”

Dr. Calvert is a board-certified member of the American Board of Plastic Surgery and serves the Beverly Hills, Orange County and Los Angeles area. He has published numerous peer-reviewed articles on plastic surgery and has presented his techniques at national and international conferences. Patients interested in learning more about Dr. Calvert can visit his website, http://www.drcalvert.com/.